Page:In bad company and other stories.djvu/285

 (wrathfully). Admiration be hanged! You said my daughter—my daughter! God bless my soul and body! You don't mean to say she'd ever say a word to the likes of you?

. I fear, sir, that without the least intention of gaining her affections clandestinely, I have been so imprudent as to receive counsel respecting my course of action in a strange land, which Miss Polyblock was too generous to refuse. This harmless intercourse has ripened into intimacy—into, I may boldly say, mutual affection. As a man of honour I feel it my duty to acquaint you with the fact, and to respectfully demand her hand. I

. (deeply shocked and violently affected). Stop! not another word! Man of honour! Ha! ha! how the devil can a free selector be a man of honour? So you think my daughter, as has been eddicated equal to the first lady in the land, is to go into a hut, and—and (Breaks into uncontrollable rage.) You—you—robber—murderer—free selector! Leave this room—get off my place, or by I'll set the dogs on ye! (Advances threateningly.)

(slowly receding). I can afford to smile at your vehemence, to laugh at your threats. There are reasons which prevent me from resenting your ignorant, ungentlemanly conduct.

. (in boxing attitude). Come on, if that's what you want. Put up your 'ands. I may be a member of the Hupper 'Ouse, and not so young as I was, but I can take the conceit out of a chap like you yet. (Advances with hands up.)

(coming from behind, pulls him by the coat-tail). Oh, father, father! don't touch him.

. Let me go, girl!

. Oh, Cecil, Cecil! why don't you go away? (Throws her arms round Mr. P. and drags him back; slowly retreating, Mr.  struggling and menacing him.) [Curtain falls.